Mark Zuckerberg delays Big Tech hearing over 'connection issues'

‘I think this is a most interesting development,’ Chairman Wicker says

In a humorous twist of irony, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg had trouble connecting remotely to his hearing before the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee on Wednesday, forcing an irked Chairman Roger Wicker to recess the hearing for two minutes.

Mr Zuckerberg was slated to deliver his opening statement last among Wednesday’s witnesses, a panel that also included Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey.

The trio of Big Tech CEOs is facing a grilling on Wednesday by Republican senators who have made unfounded accusations that they show anti-conservative bias. All three companies have flagged tweets, Facebook posts, and news stories containing false, misleading, and inflammatory statements by Donald Trump in recent months.

But Mr Zuckerberg briefly threw the hearing off its tight schedule on Wednesday with connectivity issues.

“At this point, we are unable to make contact with Mr Mark Zuckerberg. We are told by Facebook staff that he is alone and attempting to connect with this hearing and that they are requesting a five-minute recess at this point to see if that connection can be made. I think this is a most interesting development,” Mr Wicker said, suppressing his annoyance that the CEO of one of the biggest tech companies in the world was experiencing technical difficulties dialling into the hearing.

"But we’re going to accommodate the request of Facebook employees and see if within five minutes we can make contact and proceed. So at this point, I’ll declare a five-minute recess,” Mr Wicker, Republican of Mississippi, said, banging the chairman’s gavel.

Within two minutes, Mr Wicker resumed the hearing, saying the committee had “success” connecting with the Facebook CEO.

“I was able to hear the other opening statements. I was just having trouble connecting myself,” Mr Zuckerberg explained.

“I know the feeling, Mr Zuckerberg,” Mr Wicker joked.

The hearing re-commenced.